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John D.:
Hello All, welcome to another addition of "Featured Grower" chat
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Ken D.:
Hi Craig and Kendall, welcome to our chat room.
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PMKNMD:
Hi Craig
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Ken D.:
Are you both ready?
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John D.:
So there is no confusion, Craig's nickname is 'CraigW'. Welcome Craig and Kendall.
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CraigW:
Hi everybody
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Carts:
Is it true your secret ingredient (fertilizer) consist of the Stripped Bass caught by Peter Carter and Jim Kuhn down by your house? Peter
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CraigW:
Yes it is true Peter.
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Jim-B:
Hi Craig, how does it feel to be a celebrity? Jim from the NH Gang...
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Ken D.:
Remember if it goes too fast just let us know...
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ALUN J:
yoooo
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Big Vine Large Pumpkin:
Hey Craig :)
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pumpkintom:
Can you do it again?
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John G:
Evening Craig & Kendall
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jeff352:
Hi Craig
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Andrew Papez:
Hi Craig
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PMKNMD:
Craig, How much liquid seaweed do you use?
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CraigW:
I make my own seaweed blend applied with a hose under the leaves until the entire patch is drenched.
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pumpkinpal:
Hi Craig, specifically, what seed did you grow the 1260.4 from?
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CraigW:
845 Bobier.
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Paul835:
Bobier had two 845's. Which year was yours?
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CraigW:
845 Bobier 2000 seed.
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pumpkinpal:
Were they from P & P Seed Co., year 2000?
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pumpkintom:
Craig, how many plants?
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CraigW:
1 or 2 plants per year.
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Andrew Papez:
How many sq ft was the plant?
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CraigW:
24 by 30 feet.
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pumpkintom:
How big is your patch?
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CraigW:
The patch is 24 by 60 feet.
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Junior:
Have you ever had problems with mold in your patch, Craig?
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CraigW:
No problems with mold.
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Randoooo:
Was the 1260.4 the only pumpkin on the plant?
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CraigW:
Yes, I only grow one pumpkin per plant.
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Farmer Scott:
You grew two plants in that area Craig?
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Carts:
What are you planting this year? Peter C.
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CraigW:
Buckwheat is what I'm planting.
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Carts:
See you at the park if your not growing. Let us know when the strippers are in! Peter
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Andrew Papez:
Do you use the Christmas tree style?
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CraigW:
My plants end up in a rectangle shape when they fill the 24 by 30 foot area.
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ALUN J:
Did you use IRONITE at all Craig?
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CraigW:
I have never used Ironite.
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pumpkintom:
How far out was that giant?
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CraigW:
The 1260 was 13 1/2 feet out on the main vine.
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jeff352:
Was it to the right or left side of the main?
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lobsterclaw:
Do you still use seaweed in your patch ?........Peter from P.E.I.
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CraigW:
Yes I still use seaweed.
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ahab:
What type of insecticide do you use and when?
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Andrew Papez:
Do you use Kelp fertilizer?
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CraigW:
No I don't use kelp fertilizer. I make my own out of brown rockweed seaweed.
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THE BORER:
When is the best time to harvest the seaweed? Black rock weed?
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CraigW:
Anytime to harvest seaweed.
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pumpkinpal:
Craig is a seaweed/pumpkin king!
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H-K-J:
Is that only plant in the 24x30 area??
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CraigW:
h-k-j one plant in the area.
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Junior:
How did you get your giant pumpkin out of your patch?
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Polka Dot:
What kind of shade cover do you use?
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CraigW:
hi polka dot (prettypumpkin) I just throw a white sheet over the pumpkin.
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pumpkintom:
How often did you water?
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CraigW:
Water according to when the plant needs it.
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Tar Heel:
What seeds are you planting this year, Craig?
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CraigW:
Tar Heel, I don't think I will plant this year. I'm going to build up the soil.
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John G:
Is it extra windy where you live Craig, do you use tall wind screens?
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CraigW:
No I don't use tall wind screens.
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DJK:
Craig, any advice for a first time grower?
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CraigW:
first time grower - get to know the giant pumpkin variety and just strive for a personal best every year.
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pumpkinpal:
Could Kendall have fit inside the 1260.4, do ya think?
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CraigW:
No Kendall couldn't fit inside the 1260.
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Junior:
What were the final measurements on the 1260, Craig?
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Pumpkinpicker:
What type of soil do you have?
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CraigW:
I have sandy loam soil.
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H-K-J:
Is there a way that you determine the plant needs water as in leaf wilt or some thing other?
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CraigW:
h-k-j I go by the leaves.
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Farmer Scott:
How thick were the walls on the 1260?
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CraigW:
I don't know the thickness of the walls on the 1260.
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Polka Dot:
Do you use mulch around your plants?
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CraigW:
No I don't use mulch.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you rinse off and dry the seaweed before you put it in the patch?
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CraigW:
Always rinse the seaweed with fresh water to get the salt off.
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pumpkintom:
Where did the pumpkin go?
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CraigW:
Switzerland.
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pumpkintom:
Wow!
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Farmer Scott:
How much is shipping on that? :)
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CraigW:
The shipping was $1300 (they paid for it).
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Junior:
How long did it take you to brake 1000, Craig ?
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CraigW:
Junior, this is my first 1000 pound pumpkin (that made it to a weigh off)
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THE BORER:
Too bad about the 1090!!!
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Polka Dot:
Do you get the seaweed at the coast by you?
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CraigW:
Yes I get the seaweed at the coast.
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pumpkinpal:
What, if anything, might you put under your pride and joy, just in general, like fabric, sand, etc.?
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CraigW:
I always put a bed of sand about 4 inches deep under the pumpkin.
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svrichb:
Craig, do you think hydrilla (which grows in fresh water) would have similar benefits as seaweed?
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CraigW:
No I don't think hydrilla would.
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Junior:
How long have you been growing giant pumpkins?
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CraigW:
I have been growing since 1993.
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Polka Dot:
Do you bring it home in trash cans? Do you then make a tea for the plants?
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CraigW:
I bring the seaweed home in a pickup truck.
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CraigW:
I do make a tea.
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lobsterclaw:
Did you like the 490 Donkers seed?
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H-K-J:
Do you have a special way to dig a mound or do you just make a mound and go with that?
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CraigW:
I don't grow my pumpkins on a mound.
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H-K-J:
Really? Could you explain?
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pumpkintom:
How many loads a year?
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CraigW:
About 2 loads tilled in, 55 gallon drum for my own liquid mixture.
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THE BORER:
Craig how long do you wait until using the seaweed? compost??
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CraigW:
the borer- when the main vine is about 6 feet out.
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Junior:
What was your personal best in 1993?
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CraigW:
In 1993 my best was 415, still my favorite pumpkin memory.
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Junior:
wow 415 is pretty big for a first time grower.
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CraigW:
junior - I grew big max pumpkins for many years before this for size , got some up to almost 300 pounds.
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Junior:
Were the Big Max pumpkins similar to Atlantic Giants?
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CraigW:
Generally they are the same on a smaller scale.
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john boy:
Craig, do you prune the main vine, and the secondaries?
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CraigW:
John Boy, main vine is stopped at 24 feet secondaries stopped at 15 feet.
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pumpkinpal:
I should have the vol. 2 here with me--do you bury your vines, if so with what?
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CraigW:
pumpkin pal - they start out buried just under the surface but as the vine grows they end up on top.
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Water:
Craig == How deep do you till?
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CraigW:
water - I turn over my patch with a shovel then rototill.
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ahab:
How often do you water?
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THE BORER:
Craig I remember when you came into Topsfield with the 914. Now that was a day!
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Andrew Papez:
Your not planting this year is it to give your garden a rest?
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CraigW:
Andrew - I build up the soil every 2 or 3 years with cover crops and manure.
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H-K-J:
Do you use heated ( by sun) water out of some sort of tank?
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CraigW:
h-k-j, I water from the hose (public water supply).
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H-K-J:
Man I got a chance, Thanks
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Polka Dot:
Do you use misters?
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CraigW:
No I don't use misters.
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jeff352:
How deep do you go with the shovel?
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CraigW:
I go about 10 inches with the shovel.
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pumpkinpal:
The 1260.4---how many lobes--poll'd by what?
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CraigW:
5 lobes pollinated by 846 Calai.
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pumpkinpal:
845 X 846--CHECK THAT OUT!
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LIpumpkin:
Is rockweed the seaweed with the "poppers" (air bladders)?
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CraigW:
LIPumpkin - yes it is.
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THE BORER:
Craig do you use filters to remove the chlorine?
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CraigW:
No I don't use filters to remove the chlorine.
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Andrew Papez:
What was your biggest weight gain in a day?
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CraigW:
I only measure my pumpkins until I choose the one I'm going to go with. I measure once more on Aug 1st and won't measure again until the pumpkin is 60 days old.
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john boy:
Craig, what do you use for bugs and borer control
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CraigW:
I use Sevin for bugs and borer control.
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H-K-J:
Do you use misters, soakers or just yard sprinklers?
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CraigW:
Just yard sprinklers.
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H-K-J:
I still got a chance!
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Pumpkinpicker:
How or why did you decide to grow an unproven 845 Bobier?
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CraigW:
The 845 Bobier has the same parents as the 723 Bobier except both the parents of the 845 were bigger.
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THE BORER:
Craig will you be planting the 1260 seed this year?
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CraigW:
The Borer- I won't be planting it this year.
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THE BORER:
Craig I bet the NH boys will be glad to hear that!
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Water:
Craig, any special reason that you limit the number of time that you measure your pumpkins?
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CraigW:
water - I don't measure because it drives me nuts. Are they growing, slowing down, or what?
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Desnowskeer:
Does color effect how you choose a seed?
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CraigW:
Color, I prefer an orange color if possible.
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lobsterclaw:
Was the 490 a trouble free plant?
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CraigW:
Yes the 490 was a trouble free plant.
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pumpkinpal:
I have one--did you have an 846 Calai growing also, same patch, or 846 pollen from another grower?
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CraigW:
846 Calai same patch.
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jeff352:
How long of a growing season do you have?
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CraigW:
My growing season is May-September.
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jeff352:
So the 1260 was grown in approx. 120 days?
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CraigW:
Yes, it was grown in about 120 days.
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Junior:
About how many seeds did your 1260 have?
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CraigW:
I'm not sure how many seeds the 1260 had.
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THE BORER:
If Topsfield had not been a week early do you think we'd be talking about a 1275?
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CraigW:
Borer - I like to think if I kept the 1260 on for another week it would have split (chuckle chuckle).
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LIpumpkin:
Great answer!
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THE BORER:
Craig I get it (the 1090)?
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H-K-J:
Do you have any particular foliar fertilizer that is helpful?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - a mixture of all natural foliar fertilizers.
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K&PBlair:
What do you plan on planting this year?
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ahab:
How do you pick the one to keep and what to cull?
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, do you use heating cables / think they make a difference?
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CraigW:
I don't use heating cables.
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Junior:
About how many pounds did your 1260 gain each day?
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CraigW:
I don't know I don't measure (junior)
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THE BORER:
Craig no known offspring from the 1090?
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CraigW:
the borer - all the seeds rotted inside the pumpkin as far as I know none germinated.
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THE BORER:
Craig I got one from Mike T. It failed to germinate.
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Kurt:
Craig, I heard the Swiss paid a lot for your pumpkin - how did that all happen?
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CraigW:
The Swiss contacted Hugh Wiberg, he contacted me - we negotiated.
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FARMER TOM:
Craig, what did you do to get your 845 Bobier to produce the 1260.4?
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CraigW:
farmer tom- I have always grown my pumpkins the same way. Nothing different last year.
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FARMER TOM:
Is that the same way described in pumpkins 2?
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CraigW:
farmer tom - yes it is.
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lobsterclaw:
What do you plant for a cover crop?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw- cover crops winter rye, buckwheat.
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Water:
Craig==== what is the hottest days in your patch? What is your high and low temps?
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CraigW:
water - highest temp = high 90s lowest temp = high 20s.
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Junior:
Have you ever grown Show King Giant Squash?
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CraigW:
junior - my next venture is to grow a pure green 1000 pound squash, wish me luck!
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H-K-J:
100 lbs a day man seems impossible but you did it!! GREAT!!
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LIpumpkin:
ok Craig...what green seed will you look into for that 1000lber?
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CraigW:
LIPumpkin - I think I'm going to grow another 845 Bobier and cross it with a Len Stellpflug squash strain...that might happen this year
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Pumpkinpicker:
Which squash seed do you like?
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Paul835:
Will you coach Glenn with the green thing?
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Junior:
I hope you grow a 1000 pound squash that would be pretty neat.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, what do you consider to be the top 2 or 3 things to do to get a big one?
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CraigW:
David - 1. good seed 2. good healthy soil 3. lots of attention
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H-K-J:
You did say you were not planting this year so you must be preping for the green one for next?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - I might put it in the side of my patch that didn't have the 1260 in it this year. The 1260 side will have covercrops this year.
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H-K-J:
This is still on your 24x30 area?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - my area is 24 by 60 feet each planting area is 24 by 30 feet in this area.
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Junior:
I will be growing giant squash this year. Are they the similar to atlantic giants or are they different?
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CraigW:
junior - I think they are basically the same but I've never grown one. Keep in mind if I grow the 845 Bobier this year and cross it with a squash I won't have a chance for a squash until the following year.
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FARMER TOM:
Craig, you should contact Nic Welty about that, he is the master of color manipulation and can help you get a squash from your 845 Bobier.
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CraigW:
farmer tom - the Stellpflug squash pollinator will take care of the green.
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FARMER TOM:
Craig, I know, I mean for this year, if you want a squash from the 845.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you add granular fertilizer at the start in your soil?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - the only granular fertilizer I ever use is 10-10-10 spread very lightly over the entire patch except near the base of the plant at planting time.
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THE BORER:
Do you add calcium? gypsum?
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CraigW:
borer- no calcium/gypsum.
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Doug:
What does the soil temp need to be before I plant my pumpkin plant?
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CraigW:
doug - I'm not really sure of the exact temp.
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H-K-J:
My wife wont give up her garden area to my pumpkins so I only have a 25 x 35 area.
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H-K-J:
LOL
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CraigW:
h-k-j - thats just a little bit bigger than one of my patches.
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Ken D.:
Craig and Kendall, how about a 5 minute break?
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CraigW:
Ken D. keep shooting.
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H-K-J:
Craig you are awesome more info from you than I have read from most. Take a break.
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Heidi:
Craig, have you tested your soil's?
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CraigW:
Heidi- the only thing I've ever tested is my pH which I do yearly.
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K&PBlair:
Craig, so you believe that color is more dominant to be passed from the pollinator?
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CraigW:
k&pblair- I'm not sure a seed is out there to produce a huge green squash pollinating it into the 845 Bobier which had slight ribbing will eventually produce a green specimen.
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LIpumpkin:
Craig...what season is best for collecting the rockweed...and do you have to be a park ranger to take it?
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CraigW:
LIPumpkin - I am a park ranger but anybody can take it. At least in Massachusetts. The best time to harvest it is after severe ocean storms when it washes up on the beaches.
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LIpumpkin:
Best month?
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CraigW:
LIPumpkin - fall or spring seems to be the best time.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you prune all 3rd generation vines?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw- yes I do.
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H-K-J:
How do you plant your seed if not in a mound?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - the whole patch is flat I just plant them on flat ground.
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Paul835:
Are weeds out of inland rivers as good as seaweed or no good at all?
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CraigW:
paul835 - I don't believe that fresh water seaweed has the micronutrients that ocean seaweed has.
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Mark P...:
You mentioned that you just cover your fruit with a sheet...no tarp over your fruit Craig?
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CraigW:
mark p - just a white sheet.
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H-K-J:
So you till deep?
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CraigW:
h-j-k - turn everything over 10 inches deep with a shovel then rototill.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you prune the leaves as they die?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - I usually do.
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ahab:
Why do you wash off the salt?
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CraigW:
ahab - the salt is very bad for your garden.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, do you direct start your seeds or start them inside?
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CraigW:
david - where I live we have to start them inside in order to be pollinating around the first week of July.
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THE BORER:
Craig do you make a kinda seaweed manure tea?
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CraigW:
borer- yes.
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H-K-J:
You don't think the mound is an advantage?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - I have just never planted pumpkins that way.
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FARMER TOM:
Why do you let your plants die of disease? :)
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CraigW:
farmer tom - thats how Jim Kuhn taught me how to do it.
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THE BORER:
Craig how long will it need to be washed to remove all the salt?
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CraigW:
borer - just hose it down good.
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THE BORER:
Craig you'll see me at the beach this weekend.
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THE BORER:
say hi.
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lobsterclaw:
Have you ever tried cutting off every 2nd side vine/ your thoughts?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - no, I like my leaves to hold each other up (its windy here).
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H-K-J:
Ok not to be a pest, but do you just plant the seed in the area you choose and let them grow?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - yes.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, do you think there is any value to using superthrive, or other "hormone" supplements?
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CraigW:
david - thats way over my head.
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Walcott Pumpkin:
How long do you let the main vine grow after the pumpkin (sorry if it was already asked)?
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CraigW:
walcottpumpkin - main vine stopped at 24 feet no matter where the pumpkin is set.
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pumpkin bill:
Craig, do you use calcium nitrate? If so how much?
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CraigW:
pumpkin bill - I have never used calcium nitrate.
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H-K-J:
I know it has been asked but do you direct plant or start in the house?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - start in the house.
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H-K-J:
Now that would make a difference might have to try that.
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lobsterclaw:
What do you mean you let your plants die of disease?
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FARMER TOM:
it's a joke, lobster claw.
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - I don't it was a joke.
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THE BORER:
Doesn't Jim Kuhn have a plant disease named after him? Kuhn's disease?
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Walcott Pumpkin:
Only one pumpkin per plant?
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CraigW:
walcottpumpkin - yes always one.
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pumpkin bill:
How big is the pumpkin patch, how many plants do you grow?
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, you said you used regular tap water from the spicket, do you warm it first (in barrels)?
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CraigW:
david - when watering, from spicket, when feeding, from a heated 55 gallon drum.
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K&PBlair:
Do you use time released fertilizers?
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CraigW:
kpblair - no I don't.
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Paul835:
Was there any sign of a Dill ring on your 1260?
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CraigW:
paul845 - no.
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pumpkin kid:
Craig --Jerry Rose here-don't know if it was asked being I just got here but how many square feet do you let your plants get and what are there dimensions?
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CraigW:
Jerry - pumpkin dimensions: main vine 24 feet secondaries 15 feet each direction.
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pumpkin kid:
Small plants then.
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THE BORER:
Craig back to the water, I believe your town uses wells? So I assume the chlorine levels are low to begin with or non-existent?
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CraigW:
borer- I don't know.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you look for anything specific in the female flower?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - the stem of the female flower must not have large ribs in it.
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guy:
Do you use time released Water or just put it all on at one time?
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CraigW:
guy - sprinklers, all on at one time.
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Ron H:
What do the large ribs in the flower stem do to the pumpkin?
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CraigW:
Ron H - I believe these show an early tendency for stem splits.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, do you think the heated water for feeding makes a big difference?
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Dsclatt (David):
I haven't used heated water before but I may this year. Is it worth the effort?
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CraigW:
david - its only heated to air temp by sitting in the barrel for a few days. I think warm water is better than cold water for feeding.
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pumpkin bill:
How big is the pumpkin patch and how many plants are grown?
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CraigW:
pumpkinbill - 24 by 60 feet 2 plants 24 by 30 feet.
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duff:
Is Buckwheat a joke, or will it return something to the soil?
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CraigW:
duff - it's a great covercrop.
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lobsterclaw:
Whether it is 4 or 5 lobes, do you want the lobes as even and uniform as possible?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - I only usually get 2 or 3 female flowers on my main vine which is only 24 feet long so I can't be too picky. Of course uniform as possible is preferred.
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Desnowskeer:
How often do you fertilize using liquid and how much if so?
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CraigW:
Desnowskeer - the leaves tell me when it is time to fertilize. I usually empty a 55 gallon barrel of liquid all natural fertilizers on each plant.
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CraigW:
desnowskeer - if the leaves look good I fertilize every 2 weeks no matter what.
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H-K-J:
Do you self pollinate or let mom do it?
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THE BORER:
Are you going to wait and see how the 1260 seed performs for others this year before trying it?
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CraigW:
borer- I don't plan on planting it this year, the 846 Calai pumpkins which it was pollinated with have huge ribs which worries me as far as splits go.
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ahab:
The more lobes the better?
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CraigW:
ahab - no.
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pumpkin kid:
Do you keep your patch a hundred percent weed free?
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CraigW:
pumpkin kid - yes 100 % weed free.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, do you follow a similar fertilizing schedule to "Giant Pumpkins #2", or do you have your own / different schedule?
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CraigW:
david - I have my own fertilizing schedule.
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pumpkin kid:
Anything on the ground for weeds mulch etc?
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CraigW:
pumpkinkid - no I weed by hand.
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THE BORER:
Craig I haven't seen you mention any manure at all?
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CraigW:
borer - cow manure, sometimes chicken manure.
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duff:
Got a figure on average water use? mid-season?
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CraigW:
duff - no idea on water use, depends a lot on temp.
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pumpkin kid:
A 55 gallon of what Neptune's Harvest? per plant?
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CraigW:
pumpkinkid - I don't use Neptune's Harvest.
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Tim in Fla...:
Any seaweed question been asked yet? I'm curious if you try to rinse the salt off first before adding to the garden... thanks Craig...
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CraigW:
tim in fla - have to rinse off the salt first.
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THE BORER:
Craig how do you breakdown the seaweed 4 manure tea?
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CraigW:
borer - put it in water for a couple of days crush it with a 2x4 board.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, you know I have to ask.............what is you fertilizing schedule?
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CraigW:
david - when the leaves tell me they need fertilizer if not every 2 weeks.
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farmerpumpkins:
Do you put anything under your pumpkin while in the growing season?
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CraigW:
farmerpumpkin - 4 inches of sand.
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Tim in Fla...:
How many Van Houtte sunflower seeds did/does it take to equal one 1260?
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CraigW:
tim in fla - Brett Hester knows the answer to that.
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THE BORER:
Craig, tonight Hugh was speaking at the Hampton grange and did you attend?
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CraigW:
borer - yes I was there.
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THE BORER:
Craig sorry I couldn't make it 5 kids and a wife that works nights... What did I miss?
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CraigW:
borer - just basics for beginners.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you try to keep your pumpkins level as they grow at first or set them back on their shoulders to take some weight off the blossom end a little?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - no.
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petey:
What do your leaves say to you when they need fertilizer? (what am I looking for)
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Tim in Fla...:
lol.. I thought it was Kurt Herrmann...
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CraigW:
petey - the leaves will start to lose the deep green color and start going lighter.
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Tim in Fla...:
Is the addition of seaweed a yearly thing like manure... and if so.... about how much per plant/site?
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CraigW:
tim in fla - yes it is a yearly thing about a pick up truck load a year.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, so do you pretty much stick with 10-10-10 for liquid fert? What other liquid fert blends do you use?
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CraigW:
david - fertilizer blends, my own seaweed tea liquid fish sometimes 20-20-20.
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pumpkin kid:
If not Neptune's Harvest what is the fish fertilizer you use?
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CraigW:
pumpkinkid - there is a company in Maine that sells liquid fish that seems to be stronger.
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pumpkin kid:
Cheaper than Neptune's Harvest?
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petey:
How soon and from where will the first 1500 lb pumpkin come from?
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CraigW:
petey - 2 or 3 years pacific northwest my guess.
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THE BORER:
yeah Geneva no doubt.
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Mark P...:
Do you trim the leaves of near the stump to prevent stump rot?
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CraigW:
mark p - yes.
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THE BORER:
Craig can you till the seaweed in fresh or do you have to compost it a while?
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CraigW:
borer - either way.
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Walcott Pumpkin:
You ever use 0-0-60 potash?
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CraigW:
walcott pumpkin - the only granular fertilizer I ever use is 10-10-10. I only use balanced fertilizers.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, Alaskan fish fert?
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CraigW:
david - all fish fert seem to be about the same.
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CraigW:
and about the same price.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, do you bury your vines? All (if any)? How far?
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CraigW:
david - I bury my vines just under the surface as they grow and I water the vines, they end up above the ground.
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lobsterclaw:
Do you S your vine much or any at all?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - I never S my main vine it causes problems with the secondaries crossing each other.
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Tim in Fla...:
How come Geneva's 1262 is front page BP.com... (hyperlinks etc etc,....) and the 1260 is hardly an honorable mention anywhere?
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CraigW:
tim in fla - because Geneva is the world record holder.
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Ken D.:
In our defense Craig's 1260.4 had the main page for a week :-)
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Tim in Fla...:
ok ok....
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THE BORER:
Craig I'm sure you'll keep things interesting around here?
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THE BORER:
Geneva had an incredible year.
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drcompost:
Craig, ever have problems with raccoons in fish?
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CraigW:
drcompost - no but I know of people who have.
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pumpkin kid:
What was on the other plant you grew was that the 846?
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THE BORER:
Craig did you have a decrease in insect activity last season?
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CraigW:
borer - yes cucumber beetles.
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THE BORER:
Craig across the board here cukes borers and squash bugs way low and I also heard from others of the same observation?
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Desnowskeer:
How do you take care of SVB's if they enter the plant and did you have any in the 1260 plant?
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CraigW:
desnowskeer - I cut them out. I'm light on pesticides so my vines always have them.
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THE BORER:
Craig had the 1260 not been harvested a week early I believe you would have surpassed 1270?
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CraigW:
borer - I would like to think if I grew it for another week it would have split (chuckle chuckle).
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lobsterclaw:
How do you compensate for the shoulders of the pumpkin pushing on the main vine?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - I move the main vine, never the pumpkin.
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THE BORER:
Craig it was still growing at harvest? Did you harvest it Sat morning?
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pumpkin kid:
Craig what was your other plant and what did it get for a fruit?
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CraigW:
pumpkinkid - the other plant was an 846 Calai which rotted the 1st week of august
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CraigW:
pumpkinkid - on August 1st it was the largest pumpkin I have ever grown as of that date.
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Tim in Fla...:
So rumor had it you were hoping to just break 1000 at first Craig? Just how far was that thing sunk in the sand?
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CraigW:
tim in fla - it was right down to the loam.
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ahab:
Do you stake your vines?
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CraigW:
ahab - no.
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Tim in Fla...:
OTT?
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H-K-J:
Being from south Idaho and not being able to harvest my own seaweed and all do you think Neptune's Harvest would help my plants even though it is processed to a certain extent?
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CraigW:
h-k-j - yes its good stuff..just a little weaker than I like it.
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Walcott Pumpkin:
If you move the vines, then you don't let the vine grow roots?
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CraigW:
walcottpumpkin - I have to cut the tap roots near the pumpkin in order to move the vines.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, what's your "fix-all" for vine cracks (when you move it too much) and for splits in the pumpkin?
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CraigW:
david - splits - captan. I've never split a vine.
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Ken D.:
About ready to wrap it up?
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, does captan actually heal the split, or just keep bugs out?
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CraigW:
david - works for me in minor pumpkin splits.
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svrichb:
Since you have only two plants what made you take a chance on the 845?
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CraigW:
svrichb - same genetics as the 723 Bobier except both parent pumpkins were bigger. 845 is a much better seed in my opinion.
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pumpkin kid:
Probably been asked but what are you planting this year?
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CraigW:
pumpkinkid - leaning against planting this year, though I may put in one plant.
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THE BORER:
Craig I've come to learn tonight that you don't use any magic snake oils or fancy devices and that seaweed thing has been bugging me for years!! Is that the magic bullet?
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Desnowskeer:
What is your pH when tested?
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CraigW:
desnowskeer - I keep my pH around 7.
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lobsterclaw:
What would your organic matter be?
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CraigW:
lobsterclaw - I've never had it tested.
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Water:
Have you used towels dipped in calcium on your plants?
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CraigW:
water - no.
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Winnie:
What was the square footage of the plant the 1260 was on?
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CraigW:
winnie - 24 by 30 feet
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H-K-J:
I would like to say, Craig, you have given me hope with my meager chances only because you have grown your 1260 on what I believe will always work. hard work and a lot of perseverance and the want to share.
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CraigW:
h-k-j - thank you.
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Walcott Pumpkin:
NOT going to plant this year?!!!!!
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Winnie:
Only the 1260 on it?
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CraigW:
winnie - always only 1 pumpkin per vine.
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Dsclatt (David):
Craig, thanks for answering all my questions. You-Da-Man!
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John D.:
Thanks for your time Craig, and your fingers Kendall!
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CraigW:
Your welcome.
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H-K-J:
So I can't spell!!
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Desnowskeer:
How much sun does your patch get? When to when?
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CraigW:
desnowskeer - pretty much full sun all day
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ahab:
Thanks Craig first time in the room.
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Mark P...:
Thanks Craig.
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farmerpumpkins:
Thanks Craig for your time and knowledge.
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Thomas:
How old is Kendall and is Kendall into growing pumpkins also?
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CraigW:
thomas - kendall is 15. Sometimes I'm in regular chats as prettypumpkin.
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Water:
Thanks Craig. Enjoyed the chat.
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jeff352:
Thanks Craig!!!
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Ray A:
Thanks Craig.
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Walcott Pumpkin:
Thanks for your time tonight Craig!!!! Your great!
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Bill Van:
Thank you Craig & Kendall.
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FARMER TOM:
Thanks, Craig!
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Tim in Fla...:
yes Craig thanks.. some neat tips....
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Paul835:
Thanks Craig and Kendall
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K&PBlair:
Thanks!
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petey:
atta boy Craig!
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pumpkin bill:
Thanks Craig
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THE BORER:
Thanx Craig!
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Ken D.:
Thanks Craig and Kendall!!!
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john boy:
Thanks Craig.
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Desnowskeer:
Thank you
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riki:
Hey Craig thanx eh
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Ken D.:
You did a fantastic job.
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Desnowskeer:
This has been great!!!
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Justin_18:
Thanx
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Ron H:
Thanks Craig and Kendall, Ken & John!!!
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lobsterclaw:
What do you mean same genetics as the 723 Bobier except both parent were bigger?
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svrichb:
Thanks C&K
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CraigW:
Your welcome everybody it was fun. Hope you all grow a personal record this year!
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